Hannah Lipps

Junior Hannah Lipps plans to make a life helping others. Among other activities, she has been involved with UGA HEROs, a student philanthropic organization dedicated to helping children affected by HIV/AIDS. She says that if she knew she would not fail, she would find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Today, she is already helping people overcome obstacles through physical movement as an instructor for UGA’s Challenge Course and as a life guard at the Ramsey Student Center. Lipps plans to graduate next year with a degree in exercise and sports science, and then she will become a physical therapist and open her own practice.

Hometown:

Kingsland, Georgia

High School:

Camden County High School

Degree objective:

B.S.Ed. in exercise and sports science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy

Expected graduation:

Spring 2011

University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:

I'm currently a member of Rho-Tau, the pre-physical therapy club of UGA. I played intramural softball in the summer on the Stat/Math/CS co-ed team, and I am forming a soccer team this semester. While attending UGA I have received the HOPE Scholarship and the the Dolphin Scholarship. I also received the Military Children Scholarship, Okefenokee Rural Electric Scholarship, the Warren Bailey Memorial Scholarship, the Southeast Georgia Health Systems Scholarship, and a scholarship from Rotary International. I have also been involved with UGA HEROs and the Fashion Design Student Association here at UGA.

Current Employment:

I currently work at the Ramsey Student Center. I have the pleasure of working both with Aquatics and the Challenge (ropes) Course. As a facilitator on the ropes course, I lead groups through a series of challenges that are meant to inspire leadership, teamwork and bonding within the group. After a day out on the course, I know that I’ve led people through life-changing experiences. Once, I had someone in my group who was terrified of heights, but he pushed himself and he climbed our 45 foot tower to slide off onto the zip line. I was completely inspired by his perseverance, and I was ecstatic when he succeeded! I also work with the Aquatics Department as a life guard. I enjoy the interactions with people and the diversity of the activities we offer at the pool. I plan to apply for a manager position this semester.

Family Ties to UGA:

I am the youngest of three daughters to attend the University of Georgia. My oldest sister, Brandy, graduated in 2007 and now works for an environmental company in Duluth, and my other sister, Hilary, will graduate this coming year with a marketing degree from the Terry College of Business. It has been wonderful having them nearby during my college experience. Their advice is always very beneficial.

I chose to attend UGA because…

...I wanted to stay in Georgia to utilize the HOPE scholarship, and I also wanted a larger school with many sports teams as I am interested in sports medicine. After visiting my sisters several times in Athens, I knew this was the school for me. The town is full of charm and activity, and I’m addicted to every bit of it! I feel like I would be lost in a city like Atlanta, but I was tired of the small setting of Camden County. I also knew that I would receive an excellent education at an institution with the recognition and prestige of this university.

My favorite things to do on campus are…

...riding my bike around campus, whether I’m on my way to class or just out for a ride! I never know what or who I’m going to see! I also love the fact that I can plop down pretty much anywhere on campus and spread out to study or lay back and nap between classes. A few of my favorite spots include the benches behind the biology building, the field out front of Ramsey and the lilly pad garden in front of the ecology building!

When I have free time, I like…

...to be outdoors. Whether I’m out on the ropes course, taking a walk, playing a sport or just sitting by the pool, if I’m outside then I am a happy person! I am also a movie fanatic. I love having movie nights with all my friends gathered in one living room, passing around snacks and enjoying all sorts of movies!

The craziest thing I've done is…

...a couple summers ago I traveled to Bonaire with my parents on a Scuba diving trip. We spent two weeks exploring the deep blue sea at the amazing dive sites lining the island! During this trip, I saw an octopus, sea turtles, a sea horse, a shark, and hundreds of barracuda. At one site called oil slick leap, we jumped off a small cliff! I am so grateful to my parents for providing me with the opportunity for travel and for being brave enough to jump with me!

My favorite place to study is…

...my room! I’ve always like to have a desk in my room, and I like being able to sit with my computer and books, to listen to music and to relax in my own space. I will admit that last year, I transplanted to Dr. Stanton’s office with one of my roommates to study for our chemistry tests. It was a lot of fun and very helpful, but I’m not sure how he would feel if we invaded to study for the classes we have now though!

My favorite professor is…

...Meredith Turner. I had her for CBIO 2210 and CBIO 3200. During 2210, there were about 300 students, so I didn’t interact with her much on an individual level. But by the time this class was over, I recognized that she was one of the most knowledgeable teachers I ever knew. Not only that, she knew how to captivate the class and relay information in a way that made it relevant and useful. During 3200, there were about 12 students in the class, so I got to know her much better.

If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…

...my mamaw. She passed away suddenly, and I miss her very much. To see her one more time would be fantastic. She was a remarkable woman whom I remember frequently and from whom I often draw inspiration.

If I knew I could not fail, I would…

...cure multiple sclerosis. This is a disease that many people don’t know about unless someone close to them is affected, which is my case. There is no cure and the treatment options are sometimes undesirable or ineffective. A lot of suffering in the world would be ended with a cure.

After graduation, I plan to…

...attend graduate school to become a physical therapist and possibly open my own practice. I also want to travel and hike the Appalachian trail. My father is already planning his hike, and after hearing him talk about it so much it’s become something that I see myself doing.

The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…

...the UGA football game against Auburn during my freshman year. I spent the day in true UGA fashion, tailgating, dressing in black, meeting alumni and cheering on my favorite team with 92,746 of my closest friends! The energy in the stadium that night was something that you had to be there to experience. I will never forget it.